The Kasese region, located in the Republic of Uganda, has faced security challenges, including terrorism.

Kasese is a district in western Uganda that has experienced terrorist attacks in the past. One notable
incident was the 2014 attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, which killed over 40
people and injured many others.

More recently, in June 2022, a suicide bomber attacked a bar in Kasese, killing at least 2 people and
injuring several others. The attack was attributed to the ADF, which has been responsible for numerous
terrorist attacks in the region.

It's important to note that the security situation in Kasese and the surrounding areas can be volatile, and it's
essential to stay informed about local conditions and follow local authorities' instructions for safety.

On the night of Friday 16th June 2023, Lhubiriha Secondary School, in Southwestern border town of
Mpondwe, Kasese district was attacked by assailants that Ugandan security forces have linked to the Allied
Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan rebel group operating from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Forty-two (42) people, including 37 students, 4 members of the community, and 1 security guard were killed
in the attack, while 6 students were abducted to carry food stolen from the school store, while 8 people
remain in critical condition. Twenty students were reportedly hacked with machetes, before the attackers
threw a grenade into the dormitory, killing 17 other students, with some bodies burnt beyond recognition.

ADF – an armed group affiliated to the Islamic State was started in 1995 by a coalition of rebel groups,
including the Uganda Muslim Liberation Army and the National Army for Liberation of Uganda, to overthrow
the current government. They have been linked to several attacks on civilians in the DRC and Uganda,
including the 1998 burning of Kichwamba Technical College dormitory, killing 80 students, and abducting a
further 100. The latest attack happened only four days after the US State department updates its travel
advisory on Uganda highlighting the threat of terror attacks, crime, and enactment of LGBTQI+ legislation.
In 2021, the US government declared ADF a terrorist group.

The government of Uganda initially responded by sending the education minister to assess the situation
and increasing security deployment at the border district to track the assailants. By Monday 19th June,
2023, 20 suspected collaborators of the assailants had been arrested, but many questions remained
unanswered. The attack came as a surprise as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces is currently in a joint
operation with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo against the ADF deep inside the
Congolese territory.

Action Aid International Uganda is appalled by and condemns the senseless attack on unarmed and
vulnerable learners who are already burdened by challenging learning conditions. We are particularly
dismayed by reports attributed to senior government officials that the attack may have been linked to
wrangles over the ownership of the school. We call on the government of Uganda to speedily investigate
the causes of this attack, bring the perpetrators to book, and reassure learners and the country of security.

To combat terrorism, various strategies have been implemented or proposed, including,

1. Military operations: Congolese security forces, with international support, conduct operations to
dismantle terrorist groups.

2. Intelligence gathering: Efforts to collect and share information on terrorist activities, leadership, and
networks.

3. Community engagement: Building trust with local communities to gather intelligence and prevent
recruitment.

4. Economic development: Initiatives to address poverty, inequality, and political exclusion, which can drive
extremism.

5. Political dialogue: Encouraging inclusive political processes to address grievances and reduce tensions.

6. International cooperation: Collaboration between regional countries, international organizations, and

global powers to share intelligence and coordinate efforts.

7. Counter-narratives: Promoting alternative narratives to challenge terrorist ideologies and propaganda.

8. Humanitarian assistance: Providing aid to affected populations to reduce vulnerability to terrorist

exploitation.

9. Security sector reform: Strengthening and professionalizing security forces to enhance their
effectiveness and accountability.

10. Regional security initiatives: Organizations like the African Union and the United Nations play a crucial
role in coordinating regional efforts to combat terrorism.

- Community-oriented approach: The community-oriented approach is the best strategy to fight terrorism.
Communities must adopt counterterrorism strategies, objectives, policies, and measures.

- Strong community cohesion: Strong community cohesion is necessary.

- Community policing: There is a need for clear collaborative efforts between the police and community to
move effectively and efficiently identify, prevent, and solve the problem of crime.

- National Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Proliferation

Strategy: Uganda has formulated a National Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Countering Financing of
Terrorism (CFT) and Proliferation Strategy to address the deficiencies existing in its AML/CFT regime, and
mitigate the Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF) risks that it
is exposed to.

- Uganda Anti-Money Laundering/Combatting Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Taskforce: Uganda Anti-

Money Laundering/Combatting Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Taskforce is a national taskforce that
set-up as a national coordination mechanism to advise on matters relating to combatting money laundering
and terrorist financing.
In combating terrorism, Uganda is committed to the global fight against Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist
Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF).

Uganda has been involved in military operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2017. The ADF is a terrorist organization responsible for
numerous attacks and kidnappings in the region.

In 2021, Uganda launched a joint military operation with the DRC, known as Operation Shujja, to combat
the ADF. The operation has included airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and ground offensives against ADF
positions.

Additionally, Uganda has also been working with regional and international partners, including the African
Union and the United Nations, to address the terrorist threat in the region through intelligence sharing,
capacity building, and other forms of cooperation.

It's important to note that the situation in the DRC is complex, and the conflict involves multiple actors and
factors.